- How long does it take to charge the average EV battery?
- Are there ways to charge an EV battery faster?
- What can you do to make your EV battery last longer?
- Will charging an electric vehicle ever be fast?
- Should you wait to buy an electric car?
One of the most common complaints car shoppers have about electric vehicles (EVs) is that they take far too long to charge. That complaint keeps many potential customers from buying electric cars. However, if you know about the technology, the recharging times for an EV battery make much more sense. Further, lengthy EV battery charging might soon be a thing of the past.
How long does it take to charge the average EV battery?
A Tesla Supercharger is faster way to charge EV batteries | Smith Collection, Getty Images
Replenishing an electric vehicle battery is dependent on several factors. First, different types of chargers impact charging times. Chargers are generally level 1, 2, or 3, with 3 being the fastest chargers.
For instance, a typical level 2 Tesla charger will take about 6.5 hours to charge the Tesla Model 3 Long Range. While that may seem like a very long time, it is an improvement over older EVs.
Next, charge times may depend on the size of the battery in your EV. If your vehicle has a large capacity in kilowatt hours (kWh), replenishing it with your home-based level 1 charger may take a long time.
Are there ways to charge an EV battery faster?
According to Kelley Blue Book (KBB), level 3 chargers, also known as DC fast chargers (DCFCs), are faster than levels 1 and 2. Also, some automakers like Tesla have their own versions of fast chargers. For instance, Tesla claims that its Supercharger can charge a battery in as little as fifteen to twenty minutes.
A Tesla chassis | Sjoerd van der Wal, Getty Images
What can you do to make your EV battery last longer?
Several factors impact how long your EV battery lasts. First, temperature extremes can adversely affect driving range. For instance, driving at temperatures lower than 20 degrees Fahrenheit could drop driving range by over 40 percent.
Next, much like your cell phone battery, overcharging or allowing an EV battery to go completely flat could be detrimental. KBB says that the optimal range is above 20 percent and below 80 percent. Some fast chargers even slow down their charging speeds to protect batteries outside of this range.
Will charging an electric vehicle ever be fast?
A Toyota Prius charges | Tom Williams, Getty Images
According to Business Insider, Ford and Purdue University collaborated on a “breakthrough” in fast charging technology. Ford’s technology is a fast charging cable that incorporates a cooling component. Consequently, the cooling system allows the cable to handle a much greater current. Ford and Purdue University are hopeful that technology like this will be able to replenish an EV battery in as little as five minutes.
Should you wait to buy an electric car?
Although EV batteries still take a bit of time to charge, the technology is getting faster, safer, and more common. Furthermore, advances in architecture could result in recharge speeds comparable to filling up your gas tank. While that seems like science fiction for now, companies like Ford and Tesla are making advancements on a regular basis.
Scroll down to the following article to read more about some considerations of purchasing an EV.